Breastfeeding being downplayed

Well I think you saw from the other thread that it's not working for me But yes Claudia, I can proudly say I tried everything and gave it my all! At least I perservered for 7 weeks - so no one can say I didnt try.

@Claudia lol at the patient biting you, we all have those patients who "finish" us up:) I'm remembering now "fondly" of my time in psychiatric government hospitals - of being jumped at by naked patients, kicked in the shins, and locked in a cupboard amongst other things

Yes breastfeeding in strongly emphasized in the Quran. Women are encouraged to breastfeed until 24 months (maximum). Breastfeed in the arab peninsula is socioeconomically related I.e. a class issue. Most of the rich do not feed, its the poorer and lower middle class who do. It was very common to see yemenis and omanis feeding in public, they would lift up their abayas (black robes) or jilbaabs (like black overcoats and feed). Not the rich khaleejis, emaritis and saudis, their kids always have a Flilipino maid and a bottle to the mouth. Oh hijaab is an umbrella term of scarf-wearer, abaya wearer and for thise who cover their faces (the niqaab or purdah)

@ Suhaila - Im quite surprised that women dont breastfeed in the arab nations - I'm sure I read somewhere that nursing is important in the Koran? And I was on a forum the other day where an american nurse working in dubai said shes seem more women feeding their babies in public there than in the US (discreetly under their clothes (I think theyre called haajibs (sp?)) course...)

@ Juno, thanks for that, felt a bit sad about the whole thing. I do type slower than I think, so I think I do often miss out bits and people get the wrong end of the stick. I've tried again and hope I dont offend:( Dont think I would be able to take it.

Sigh I've had such a crappy week, hopefully this one is better ( I actually had a patient bite me at work this weekend, and no not a kid, an elderly women who decided after I broke my back trying to get her out of bed that she didnt want to stand anymore:()

Claudia - I must have read your post on the other thread a dozen times so as to understand why it got the reaction it did. I wanted to say something but thought it may not be wise

Meags I've been following your journey for a while and admire your perseverence. I had a torrid time with BF'ing myself to the extent that it almost became a battle about proving to myself that I could do it. I woke up one day 8 weeks later and realised that I needed to do what was best for both of us. It was such an emotional relief and release.

Meags:) Hugs, hope it works out, and if it doesnt just remember that you hae tried harder than most people. Unfortunately (and I think a lot of people misunderstood what I was trying to say on another post) breastfeeding is an art that has been lost, and with most of us having been brought up on bottles and loads of conflicting advice out there, is it very difficult for a new mom to sort through the rubbish and be successful. Most people throw in the towel right at the get go, so you've given him 6 weeks worth of milk and thats more than most first world babies get so congrats:)

Thanks Meags, I was incorrectly assuming a too long tongue that gets caught up on itself!! Meags, you and M deserve standing ovations and purple hearts for your perseverance and his endurance. Holding fingers its a 4 good weeks:)